Oil rectifier



Feb. 18, 1930. F, B, MASON OIL RECTIFIER Filed Oct. 19, 1928 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Frmz Maron? Feb. 18, 1930. F. B. MAsoN 1,747,554

OIL RECTIFIER Filed Oct. 19, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IArIIIIIIfIIIII/m l lfllzzllllllllllllllll 4 /IlIlIl/III @Sg Y Patented Feb. 1.8, 1930 STEFFHCE FRANK B. MASON, OF NEW PROVIDENCE, lll-'EW JEESEY, ASSIGNOR GFONE-FOURTH TO FRANK A. URNER, F SCOTCH PLAINS, NEW' JERSEY, ONE-FOURTHTO ELMER A. FORD, OF WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, AND ONE-FOURTH TO ARTHUR H.SERRIELL,

or NEW YORK, N. Y.

Application filed October 19, 1928.

This invention relates to an apparatus for rect-ifying oil and isparticularly adapted for useon gas engines as commonly employed in motorvehicles for separating the gasoline or other substances volatile atrelatively low atmospheres from the lubricating oil as contained in thecrank case. l am aware that heretofore numerous devices have beenproposed for similar purposes. So far, however, as these have come to myattention, they have been designed to operate continuously. ln allinstances so far as am aware the heat of the exhaust gases from theengine have been utilized to raise the temperature of the mixed oil andgasoline sufficiently to effect the volatilization of the gasoline, andhence the separation of the same from the oil. However, by means of a.pump or similar device the min ture ofthe oil and gasoline has beencaused to flow continuously from the rectifier, that is, theconstruction heretofore has been such that when the motor is inoperation the flow of the mixture of oil and gasoline through therectifier has been continuous. Devices of this type operate more or lesssatisfactorily after the motor has been running sufficiently long tohave become heated. lt is equally obvious that there will be noseparation of the gasoline from the oil until the motor has becomeheated. it is generally recognized that when the motor is relativelycold there is the greater dilution of the oil and consequently at thetime when the rectification of the oil is most needed there issubstantially no rectification at all.

ln carrying out my invention the heat of thefexhaust gases effects thevolatilization of the gasoline, and hence the separation of the samefrom the oil. ln this respect, therefore, the apparatus made inaccordance with my invention is similar to the type of device orapparatus heretofore devised. 11i carrying` out the invention, however,the rectifier is so constructed and caused to operate thatintermittently, and dependent upon the temperature, charges of mixed oilandfuel are delivered to the rectifier and are retained therein until atemperature sufficiently high is reached to effeet the volatilization ofthe gasoline when automatically and by a temperature control OILRECTFIER seriai No, 313,485.

the rectified oil is permitted to return to the crank case and a freshcharge of oil diluted with gasoline is admitted to the rectifier and theoperation repeated to remove the gasoline from the second charge ofmixture. It will therefore be seen that the apparatus operates torectify the oil and at no time can the rectifier function other than assuch.

rlhe rectifier made in accordance with this invention will behereinafter more particularly described in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a central longitudinalsection of the apparatus,

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in another position,

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3, Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale taken on line 4 4,Fig. 3 and showing the valve construction, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section showing the thermostaticdevice.

In carrying out the invention I employ a suitable receptacle. Asillustrated this receptacle comprises a body member which convenientlymay be cylindrical and is fitted with a base or bottom 11 and a cap orcover 12. The lower end of thel body member is flanged as is also thebase, and these parts are connected by bolts 13 or otherwise, therebeing a suitable gasket placed between the flanges to make tight joint.In like manner the upper end of the body member is flanged, as is alsothe cover 12 and these parts are connected by bolts 14 and a suitableintervening gasket to make a tight joint, or otherwise. rlhe body memberat the upper portion thereof is provided with an inlet connection 15 forthe exhaust gases from the motor and the lower portion of the bodymember with an outlet connection 16 for these gases. The body member isprovided with a passage 17 through which these gases flow. Interiorlythe body member is also provided with a series of projections indicatedat 18 which form part of the passage for the gases and extend in spacedpositions toward rthe center of the receptacle.

The base 11 is fitted with a plug 19 by which the receptacle may bedrained when necessary. The base 11 is also fitted with a boss 20extending into the same. Extending from the boss 20 there is an elbowand connected to the elbow there is a check valve 21 leading from whichis a pipe 22 that is the return pipe to the crank case of the motor orother receptacle v for reconveying the lubricant thereto.

Passing through the cap or cover 12 is an inlet pipe 23. This pipe leadsfrom the crank case and as illustrated extends centrally through thecover. YWithin the receptacle I employ a. suitable float 24. The floatis adapted to rise and fall with the fluid as the same is admitted toand permitted to flow from the receptacle. The interior of thereceptacle is preferably provided with suitable guides 25, and there arecorresponding guides 26 in the float for directing the upward anddownward movement of the float.

The upper end of the float is htted with a valve 27 and extending fromwhich is a stem 0r rod 23 which passes into and moves within the inletpipe 23. At the inner end of the inlet pipe there is a valve seat 29against which when the float is raised the valve 27 is brought to bearto shut off the fiow of the incoming liquid to the rectifier receptacle.

On the cover 12 there is a nipple 30 adapted to receive one end of apipe connection 31 which communicates with the motor in such a mannerthat the suction strokes of the motor pistons may produce a vacuumwithin the rectifyin'g chamber. Passing through the nipple 30 and thecover 12 there is a portor passage 32 provided at its inner end with avalve seat 33. In the wall of the cover 12 there is also a port orpassage 34 centrally disposed relatively to an outer boss 35 in whichthere is a valve seat 36 against which a valve 37 is adapted to bear.Interiorly the cover 12 is fitted with a lug 38 in which a lever 39 ispivotally mounted at one end, as indicated at 40. The opposite or freeend of this lever 39 carries a valve 41 adapted to bear against thevalve seat 33, A link 42 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 43, tothe lever 39 and passes through the port 34 and is connected to thevalve 37. Suitably mounted on the cover 12 there is a bracket 44 adaptedto support an electro-magnet 45. The electromagnet 45 is adapted toattract the valve 37 in order to lift the same and to thereby open theport 34. The construction of these parts is such that when the valve 37is raised to its open position the lever 39 is actuated to bring thevalve 41 against its seat 33 to thereby close the port or passage 32.Furthermore, the passage 34 opera tes merely as a vent port, as will behereinafter more particularly described.

In a suitable position in the wall of the rectifier I employ a sleeve 46adapted to receive a nut 47 which is adjustable therein. Suitablyconnected to and carried by the sleeve 46 there is a casing 43 in whichis mounted in any suitable manner a thermostatic bar 49. Thisthermostatic bar is preferably so constructed that it is norinally baris provided with a breaker point 50 cooperating with a breaker point 51carried by a terminal 52 which is fixed in the adjustable nut 47, thenut being adjustable, as will be apparent, in order to regulate thedistance between the breaker points 50 and 51. rlhe electro-magnet 45and the breaker points 50 and 51, together with the terminal 52 are in asuitable electric circuit, including a battery 53 and the necessarylines 54, these parts being grounded in the frame of the rectifier in amanner which is usual in completing electric circuits.

rl`he float 24 an-d the lever arm 39 are connected in any suitablemanner to cause the float when lowered to swing the lever arm 39suficientlyfar to move the valve 41 from its seat 33 and to cause thevalve 37 to bear against its seat 3G. As illustrated this may beaccomplished by means of a chain 55 which at its upper end is connectedto an eye 56 secured in the outer end of the lever arm 39 while at itslower end the chain 55 is connected to an eye 57 suitably attached tothe float 24.

In describing the operation of this apparatus it may be assumed that thefloat 24 is at the lower end of its travel an-d that the rectilied oilhas been permitted to return to the crank case. When this conditionmaintains the valve 4l is open and the valve 37 is closed, the breakerpoints 50 and 51 are separated and consequently the circuit to theelectromagnet broken and the magnet itself deenergized.

VJ ith the valve 41 open there is created a vacuum, or partial vacuum,within the rectifier which, as will be understood, causes the mixture ofoil and gas from the crank case to flow by way of the pipe 23 to theinterior of the rectifier. As the chamber within the rectifier is beingfilled with the mixture of oil and fuel the Yfloat rises until the valve27 carried by the fioat bears against its seat 29 to shut off this flowof the oil and fuel. ln the meantime, as will be understood, the mixtureof oil and fuel which has entered the rectifier is heated by the exhaustgases passing through the chamber in the walls of the rectifier providedtherein for this purpose. This heat effect continues until the mixturehas been heated sufficiently to cause the volatilization of the fuel.The thermostatic bar is so constructed and the breaker points soadjusted that when a predetermined temperature of the oil has beenreached the thermostatic bar is bent or curved sufficiently to 0.. 6 bebroken at a predetermined point in the $5 'i float would operate thelever arm for shifting cause the breaker point to contact with thebreaker point 5l, thereby closing the circuit to the electro-magnet,energizing the same and attracting its .valve armature 37, therebyopening the vent port and closing the valve 41 to the vacuum line.

In so heating the mixture of fuel and oil the fuel and other volatilematters of the oil have been volatilized and pass from the rectifier tothe intake of the motor, or otherwise. rlhe valve to the vacuum linethen being closed and the ventvalve open the pressure Within and withoutthe rectifier is equalized and the rectified oil is permitted to returnby gravity through the pipe connection 22 to the crank case. Of course,as the oil leaves the rectifier the fioat descends, thereby moving thevalve 27 from its seat 29 and reopening the pipe connection 23. Afterthe float has reached a predetermined position the chain 55, or anequivalent device, is made operative thereby to actuate the lever arm 39to again shift the valve 41 to its open position, thereby opening thevacuum line through the pipe 3l and returning the valve 37 to its seatand closing the vent port. It is to be noted that the valves 37 and alare both adapted to close in the direction of the flow of the fluidthrough the ports which they control so that both valves will remainseated until positively actuated by the devices described or in anyother suitable manner. As the atmospheric air enters the upper portionof the rectifier when the air vent is open it lowers the temperature,causing the thermostatic bar i9 to resume its normal straight lineposition, thereby opening the circuit at the breaker points 50 and 5land releasing the vent valve 37, whereupon the lever arm 39 is operatedto close the ventvalve and open the valve to the vacuum line,`ashereinbefore stated. It will be un- -derstood that if necessary theincoming atmospheric air may be directed to the thermostatic device andthat the parts may be so arranged that the weight of the float isinsufficient to operate the lever arm until the circuit has been broken,as aforesaid, or in addition to opening the circuit at the breakerpoints additional means for this purpose may be employed not only torelieve the float of undue service in actuating the lever arm but alsoto permit the relatively cool incoming mixture of fuel and oil to assistin reducing the temperature in the upper portion ofthe rectifier tothereby insure the thermostatic ldevice returning more quickly to itsinitial position. rl`he parts of the apparatus, of course, are thenready to repeat the cycle of operations as hereinbefore described. Forexample, the circuit to the electro-magnet may descent of the float inaddition to being opened at the breaker points, whereby, it will beunderstood, it would not be necessary for the electro-magnet to bereleased before the the valvesy without moving the valve 87 against theattraction of the electro-magnet.

The apparatus as hereinbefore described is particularly adapted for usein connection with gas engines commonly employed in motor vehicles toseparate the relatively volatile gasoline from the less volatilelubricating oil7 although, as will be understood, the apparatus' is notlimited in use to this purpose inasmuch as it may be employed toseparate the more volatile constituents from any liquid, as may bedesired.

From the foregoing description it Will be understood that the apparatusmade in accordance with this invention is one that operatesintermittently and only at such times as the temperature is sufficientlyhigh to vaporize the gasoline or other constituents which vaporize atrelatively low temperatures and it follows, therefore, that theapparatus is one in the use of which the intended purposes will beaccomplished at all times. It is furthermore to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise construction as illustrated anddescribed inasmuch as various changes may be made to accomplish the sameresults by equivalent means without departing from the nature and spiritof the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. lin an oil rectifier, a receptacle, an oil mixture line leading intothe receptacle, an oil return line leading from the receptacle, a vacuumline leading into the receptacle, a float within the receptacle, meansoperated thermostatically for closing the valve in the vacuum line, andmeans operated by the float for opening the valve inthe vacuum line.

2. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle, an oil mixture line leading intothe receptacle, an oil return line leading from the receptacle, a vacuumline leading into the receptacle, a float within the receptacle, a valvein the vacuum line, the receptacle being provided with a vent, a ventvalve, means operated thermostatically for opening the vent valve andclosing the vacuum line valve, and means operated by the float foropening the vacuum line valve and closing the vent valve.

3. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle having a passage for hot gasesaround the same, an oil mixture line leading into the receptacle, an oilline leading from the receptacle, a vacuum line leading into thereceptacle, a fioat within the receptacle, means carried by the floatfor closing the oil mixture line, means operated thermostatically forclosing the vacuum line and means operated by the fioat for opening thevacuum line whereby an oil mixture may be admitted to the re.- ceptacleto a predetermined level and maintained therein until' heatedsufficiently to vaporize the volatile constituentsin the oil mixture,the oil being then drained therefrom, the vacuum line reopened and thereceptacle refilled.

4. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle having a surrounding passage forhot gases, an oil mixture line leading into the receptacle, an

oil line leading from the receptacle, a vacuum line also leading intothe receptacle, a float Within the receptacle, means carried by thefloat for opening and closing the oil mixture line, means operatedthermostatically for closing the vacuum line, and means operated by thefloat for opening the vacuum line.

5. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle having a passage for hot gasesaround the same, an oil mixture line leading into the receptacle, an oilline leading from the receptacle, a vacuum line leading into thereceptacle, a vent leading into the receptacle, a float Within thereceptacle, means carried by the float for opening and closing the oilmixture line, means operated thermostatically for closing the vacuumline and opening the vent, and means operated by the float for openingthe vacuum line.

6. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle having a passage for hot gases inthe Walls thereof, an oil mixture line leading to the receptacle, on oilline leading from the receptacle, a vacuum line leading into thereceptacle, a float Within. the receptacle, a stem carried by the floatand operating in the oil mixture inlet line, a valve on the said steinadapted to seat against the inner end of the oil mixture line to openand close the same, means operated thermostatically for closing thevacuum line, and means operated by the float for opening the vacuumline.

7. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle, an oil inlet line leading into thereceptacle, an oil return line leading from the receptacle, a vacuumline leading into the receptacle, the receptacle being also providedwith a vent, a float Within the receptacle, a valve in the vacuum line,a valve for the said vent, means operated thermostatically for openingthe vent valve and closing the vacuum line valve, and means operated bythe ioat for opening the vacuum line valve.

8. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle, an oil inlet line leading into thereceptacle, an oil return line leading from the receptacle, a vacuumline leading into the receptacle, the receptacle also being providedwith a vent, a float Within the receptacle, means carried by the floatfor opening and closing the oil inlet line, a valve in the vacuum line,a valve for the vent, and means operated thermostatically forsimultaneously opening the vent valve and closing the valve in thevacuum line, and means operated by the float for opening the valve inthe vacuum line.

9. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle, an oil inlet line leading into thereceptacle, an oil return line leading from the receptacle, a vacuumline leading into the receptacle, the receptacle being also providedWith a vent,

a float 4Within the receptacle, a val/ve for the vacuum line Within thereceptacle, a valve for the vent exterior of the receptacle,

means operated thermostatically for simul-V` taneously opening the ventvalve and closing the vacuum line valve, and means operated by the floatfor simultaneously opening the vacuum valve and closing the vent valve.

l0. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle having a p ge in the Walls thereoffor heated gases, an oil line lea-ding into the receptacle, an oilreturn line leading from the receptacle, a float Within the receptacle,means carried by the float for opening and closing the oil line leadinginto the receptacle, a vacuum line leading into the receptacle, thereceptacle also being provided with a vent, a valve in the vacuum line,a vent valve, means tor connecting' the said valvesa an electro-.magnetfor actuating the vent valve, means operated thermostatically forclosing a circuit to the said -electromagnet to simultaneousiy actuatethe said Valves to open the vent valve and close the valve in the vacuumline, d; means operated by the float for simultaneously actuating thesaid valves to open the valve in the vacuum line and close the ventvalve ll. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle comprising a body in theWalls of Which there is a passage for hot gases, and means forming partof the upper portions of the Walls of the passage Jfor providing agreater heating surface than in the loiver portions thereof.

l2. In an oil rectifier, a receptacle comprising` a body having a Wallin Which there is a passage for hot gases, an inlet connection for thegases at the upper end o1 the receptacle, an outlet connection for thegases at the lower end of the receptacle, and a plurality of projectionsforming part of the Walls forming the upper portions of the said passagefor providing a greater heating surface at the upper portions of thepassage which lie above the normal oil level than these portions of theWall of the passage in the lower portions thereof which completelysurround the oil at a predetermined level in the receptacle.

Signed by me this 16th day of October,

FRANK B. MASON.

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